Social Work Internships In Ireland

A career in social work is a vocation and a calling, and practical experience is often a prerequisite to starting your career.

A social work internship gives you hands-on experience working with those who experience marginalisation or disadvantage, or those in need of support and advocacy.

The placements are as varied as the work itself; from hospitals to homeless shelters, community centres to clinics. You might assist practitioners working with children and adolescents; those with learning or physical disabilities; people with alcohol/drug dependency; the elderly; or recent immigrants to Ireland. We match the placement to your interests and area of concentration.

If you’re focused on medicine and public health, you may be placed in a hospital, rehabilitation facility, mental health unit, or care facility for persons with disabilities.

Those with an interest in social care might find themselves in a job placement facility, community development center, or charity fighting homelessness. You could be placed with an advocacy group, assisting in grant writing, strategy and policy.

You’ll develop and strengthen your communication and interpersonal skills, from listening and earning trust, to showing empathy and facilitating groups.

Expect to do hands-on work like problem-solving, co-ordinating services, safety planning and organising. All the while, you’ll be developing both self-awareness and awareness of the factors that affect social problems.

If you’re ready to be challenged, rewarded, and grow both professionally and personally, this is the placement for you.

Scholarships

We’re delighted to offer three scholarships a year of up to €500 per student, thatare deducted off the final payment.

Scholarship applications can be submitted as part of the general internship application.You must have a 3.0 GPA to apply. The scholarship section includes an one-page essay about how the placement will contribute to your academic and career goals, and a choice of how you might record your internship experience (through a blog, video or social media updates).

Click ‘apply now’ to go to our online application portal.

Where will I live?

We match students with a local family near their placement that’ll create a home-away-from-home for them. Living with a family immerses students in Irish life, culture, and customs. Not to mention the cooking!

Burren slow food festival

When do I apply?

The application deadline is based on when you’re available to intern.

Applications must be received at least 12 weeks before your intended start date.

Available start dates are as follows:

January 15, 2018
February 5, 2018
March 12, 2018
April 9, 2018
May 21, 2018
June 11, 2018
July 9, 2018
August 13, 2018
September 10, 2018
October 1, 2018
November 5, 2018
December 2018 (on request)